New antique store

Ideas, one of downtown Bentonville’s newest businesses, brings an eclectic approach to home décor.

By Mimi Abebe

Posted: October 18, 2009 at 9:36 a.m.

Sarah Nader Faron Smith, the owner of Ideas Antique and Modern Decor in downtown Bentonville, put up a painting in his newly opened antique shop.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Faron Smith loves when passersby in the 100 block of West Central Avenue stop to admire the goodies in his window display.

Some people begin glowing in much the same way he does. Others look in disbelief. After all, it’s not every day you see a pair of 1950s vintage vinyl chairs prominently displayed in a storefront in downtown Bentonville.

“Look at that fabric, and they’re in such good condition,” Smith enthusiastically points out. “And they’re John Deere green.

That grabs just about everyone, at least for a second or two.”

The vintage, loud-green lounge chairs definitely aren’t for everyone. But there’s little doubt in Smith’s mind that they’re perfect for someone. And that’s why he’s there. That’s the purpose behind every item he’s selected for Ideas an antique and modern décor venue. It’s one of the newest businesses in downtown Bentonville.

“I think what I have here is unique, especially for Bentonville,” said Smith, an interior decorator in northwest Arkansas for the past decade. “I never intended for everything here to be for everyone. But this is where you can find those one or two items your neighbor doesn’t have - that one thing that sets the tone or the inspiration for your entire home. It’s a very eclectic mix.”

Smith felt the same way about the storefront window display he openedhis new business with two weeks ago. The items in the display sold in a day.

If the flashy green chairs are not for you, maybe ensemble of 1960s lamps are. Or perhaps the 1890s Victorian chair, the variety of end tables or other fur niture pieces. Maybe it’s the mix of artwork - colorful prints, Spanish canvas and original oils - catches your fancy.

“Really, you have stuff from as far back as the 1890s through the 1960s, Smith said. “There’s a lot of mid-century stuff, and primarily home décor.

The thing is, this is a store where you can use the stuff. What you’re going to find here isn’t something to stick on a shelf or behind glass. It’s stuff you can use.”

For the better part of a decade, Smith has been paid to shop. He’s an inte rior decorator. He is paid to create, so when he sees something he likes, he picks it up. The only differ ence now is that his new store brings those finds and inspirations to the public rather than directly into a client’s home.

“There’s a lot of this stuff I could probably take down to Dallas and sell more than I have it tagged here, but I don’t want to that,” Smith said. “This is great stuff. I’m working to keep everything at reason able prices, and I want to be here, in Bentonville.

I live a couple of blocks down the street. I walk to work; I grocery shop in downtown. Downtown is where I live, and I’m excited about what’s going on here. I’m just bringing something else to it.”

Over the past couple of years, there’s been plentyof evidence of investment in downtown Bentonville.

The city completed a significant renovation project in and around the Square last year, B La Rue expanded and Table Mesa Bistro opened. This year, the momentum has continued. In addition to Ideas, located next door to Bloom floral, the University of Arkansas Student Art Gallery, the BMT Law Firm and Cottage of Bentonville have all opened on the same block of Central Avenue.

First Friday and the Bentonville Farmers Market and other events have blossomed, ground has broken on an outdoor ice rink and splash park, andthe long-awaited Crystal Bridges Trail opened, leading to the soon-to-be Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

“A lot of people talk about what the Square will become, but I think it’s already here,” Smith said.

“Downtown Bentonville is here, and it’s only getting better. I’d walked past this building hundreds of times before, but the day the Crystal Bridges Trail opened, I stopped in front of this space and decided, ‘I’m going to do this.

I’mgoing to open this business.’”

Ideas has been turning heads since. And when that perfect something finds that perfect someone’s eyes, they step inside.

“That’s why I’m here,” Smith said.

News, Pages 2 on 10/18/2009

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